Lacklustre Latics earn Second Chance

[oafcprozac]

It was a strange atmosphere on Saturday, Mansfield's poor following certainly didn't help to capture the intense feel of an FA Cup tie. From the outset the Stags closed us down quickly and seized on any loose ball. Wesolowski being injured was a blow and Adam Rooney in for JCH were the two changes from Sunday's barn-storming draw with Bradford. From the outset it was clear we were in a game, Mansfield were here to win and gain whatever advantage they could. The game was bitty, Mansfield to be fair were little threat but Latics simply could not get their pressing game going, passes went astray and there was zero tempo in the opening half. Anton Rodgers had an effort deflected narrowly wide and Korey Smith smashed one well wide. The final ball was lacking and Adam Rooney again looked to be running through treacle. He does not revel in the target-man role, he's better when he's in the middle attacking the box but this simply did not happen. Then out of nowhere Korey Smith nipped in, ran and ran, inside and outside before pushing inside and smashed one that arched away from the keeper before cracking the underside of the crossbar on its way in - what a fabulous way to open his account for the club.

 

That should have been the catalyst to get our act together and to go on and win the game. Nope, Mansfield could and should have equalised from a corner that was headed narrowly wide. The lad should have buried it - unmarked around 5 yards out. A bitty game was not being helped by serial cock Mr Williamson in the middle. Another referee in a long line that thinks the 3,500 punters in the crowd have paid their £20 to see him ruin a FA Cup tie. Just before halftime a cracking run and even better cross skimmed the top of a quiet Danny Philliskirk's head and the passing had improved somewhat since the goal. Mansfield were simply physical looking to play the percentage game - and it paid off on half-time. A hesitant referee awarded an innocuous looking free-kick (t looked iffy from the top right of the Chaddy End). Clucas stepped up and gleefully smashed the Stags level. The wall failed to do its' job and although unsighted I think Oxley has to be disappointed given it was fairly central as it entered the net. So 1-1 right on half-time.

 

The second half followed a familiar pattern, Dayton limping off ended our hope of creating anything from out wide and the dreadful Plummer did little in terms of overlapping or trying to get forward himself. Schmeltz and Lanzoni on the other side were equally anonymous. After Dayton's departure Danny Philliskirk went left and began to have more of an impact. Petrasso too at least looked to take his man on and get the ball in. JCH was disappointing when he came on and did little to support Adam whom the game seems to pass by. There was a late flurry from the home side, with Danny Philliskirk twisting and turning before clouting one just wide and Petrasso hit one straight at the keeper. A good run and cross saw a weak header from Adam that the Mansfield keeper held easily. A late Mansfield header, whilst not troubling Oxley was millimetres over. At the death Petrasso smashed a loose ball well over and that was it.

 

We were due a poor performance and we got that on Saturday, it was just too bitty with little coming off. We can't be on the ball every single week and to be fair that is now 8 games unbeaten. The replay though will be a tough game - especially with the massive carrot of Anfield dangling.

 

Oxley - In truth little to do, unsighted for the goal but has to be disappointed? 6

 

Lanzoni - Is he a full-back? Surely he's a centre back 6

 

Tarky - Another assured display, tried to make things happen by wandering forward 7

 

Grounds - Thought he was excellent again, I've been critical in the past of him but he has grown into the role and looks better every time I see him 8 My MOM

 

Plummer - why are our own lads being sacrificed for another kid from City that looks to simply not good enough. Weak positional sense, hesitant in the tackle and clueless when to stay and when to bomb on. Come on Lee you've signed a turkey here. 4

 

Schmeltz - Said in pre-season, no end product. No discipline - caught inside too often. Impact sub at best 5

 

Rodgers - Not his best afternoon, but tried to keep us ticking but doesn't retain or regain possession to the same level as Wes. 6

 

Smith - Another Captain's knock, cracking goal looked top push us on but colour blindness afflicted him too, However, even when he's not at his best he doesn't hide and keeps going. 7

 

Dayton - Looked an occasional threat, until his injury. Hopefully the injury is not too serious as he has become an important creative influence for us. 6

 

Philliskirk - Quiet first half, came into it a little more in the second half. Particularly after being pushed wider. 6

 

Adam - Poor, no service granted but looks slow and well off the pace. JCH has to reclaim his place Tuesday. 5

 

Subs:

 

Petrasso - Busy, looked to make things happen 6

 

JCH - Subdued. Perhaps the weight of recent games is taking its' toll? 6

 

All in all we're still in the cup, we're likely to get a windfall from the televised replay and although another game to add to an already hectic period is far from ideal I saw little to be overly concerned about from Mansfield. Yes, they'll up their game on their own patch but we're a decent prospect away from home. Mansfield will look to force it and hopefully leave the back door open enabling us to secure that massive trip to Anfield and the cash rich rewards it will bring.

 

Onto an equally big night at Boundary Park on Tuesday Night - on and off the field. A chance to get back to important stuff rather than focusing on the dreadful allegations that have tainted our great little club.

 

 

 

[rudemedic]

The awarding of a FK for their goal was right IMHO. However, the manner in which he awarded it was what was dodgy. The ref waved play on but when Schmeltz, who had committed the foul, went to challenge their player who had received the ball out wide the ref brought it back.

 

In the 2nd half the ref then failed to play the advantage on numerous occasions for our FKs and when we were fouled in almost exactly the same place as for their goal, with the ball going out wide to a very similar position he didn't bring the play back. Atrocious refereeing.

[BP1960]

The awarding of a FK for their goal was right IMHO. However, the manner in which he awarded it was what was dodgy. The ref waved play on but when Schmeltz, who had committed the foul, went to challenge their player who had received the ball out wide the ref brought it back.

 

In the 2nd half the ref then failed to play the advantage on numerous occasions for our FKs and when we were fouled in almost exactly the same place as for their goal, with the ball going out wide to a very similar position he didn't bring the play back. Atrocious refereeing.

 

So if Schmelz had left their player alone and we cleared any resulting cross the free kick wouldn't have happened ?

[rudemedic]

 

So if Schmelz had left their player alone and we cleared any resulting cross the free kick wouldn't have happened ?

Presumably judging by how he dealt with the foul we had in roughly the same position.

[BP1960]

Presumably judging by how he dealt with the foul we had in roughly the same position.

 

Poor Sydney can't do too much right at the moment, maybe he needs to pace his game better.

[oafcmetty]

What no merge? Double standards ackey!

[slystallone]

What no merge? Double standards ackey!

I too wonder why no merges happen with these? Surely this just merely needs to go in with all of our other match discussions in the post game discussion thread?